MC Pro User Guide
Legal Notices This guide is copyrighted ©2011 by Avid Technology, Inc., (hereafter “Avid”), with all rights reserved. Under copyright laws, this guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of Avid.
Contents Chapter 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 MC Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 System Requirements and Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 8. Monitors and Control Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Control Room. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Monitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 1: Introduction The MC Pro can be used as a standalone controller, or as an integrated component of a System 5 MC system. MC Pro MC Media Application Controller The MC Media Application Controller (MC Pro, or “MC”) is a standalone control surface designed to control digital audio workstations. System 5 MC The System 5 MC is an audio recording, editing, and mixing system that integrates the MC Pro with System 5 CM408T channel strip modules.
MC Features With a myriad of customized controls (keyboard, trackballs, Touchscreen, Soft Keys, faders and knobs), the MC Pro speeds operation, enhances creativity, and integrates the tasks of mixing and recording. The system also includes Studio Monitor Express (SME), a sophisticated monitoring application. SME provides surround monitoring with multiple speaker controls and is selected from the MC Touchscreen.
The EUCON protocol enables high-speed, bidirectional communication between Avid consoles, the MC, and EUCON-aware software applications. The MC and a EUCON-aware application are tightly interwoven so the host application does not see the MC as a controller, but as an integrated part of its user interface. Every MC control can intelligently and rapidly access any function in a EUCON-aware application.
System Requirements and Compatibility Avid can only assure compatibility and provide support for hardware and software it has tested and approved. For complete system requirements and a list of qualified computers, operating systems, hard drives, and third-party devices, visit: www.avid.com/compatibility Registration Review the enclosed Registration Information Card and follow the instructions on it to quickly register your purchase online.
About www.avid.com The Avid website (www.avid.com) is your best online source for information to help you get the most out of your Pro Tools system. The following are just a few of the services and features available. Product Registration Register your purchase online.
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Chapter 2: Installation and Configuration This chapter provides in-depth information to configure your MC beyond the basic setup information found in the MC Pro Installation Guide. Before proceeding with this section, make sure you have followed the steps in that guide for your single or multiple workstation configuration. Hardware Installation This section will help streamline and optimize your MC installation.
Required Connections The MC requires Power, network, and USB connections. DC In Connect the included DC power supply to DC In on the back panel. The supply is world-compatible (accepts 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz) and draws 150 W maximum. Attach the power supply to the MC before plugging into AC power or the unit may be damaged. LAN (RJ-45) Use CAT5 (or better) cable to connect the MC to the router included with your system. (Different routers are used for standalone MC setups and multiple-unit installations.
EUCON-WS Software Options (Windows) The Windows installer offers the following options: EUCON Workstation Core This is the main driver that controls communication between the MC and workstation. This option cannot be deselected (it is grayed out and inactive), because it must be installed for the workstation to communicate with the MC. Euphonix Studio Monitor Express (SME) This software monitoring application interfaces with the MC Monitor section.
Upgrading the EUCON-MC Software To upgrade the EUCON-MC software on the MC: 1 Download the latest version of the EUCON-MC software from: http://www.avid.com/proseriessupport. The EUCON-MC and the EUCON-WS software must have the same version and build or they may not communicate properly. Check the EUCON-WS version installed on your workstations. Download the current version and install it on all workstations used with the MC if the version (build) does not match the EUCON-MC software you just downloaded.
Configuration MC Client Software Configuration General Installing MC Client is discussed in the MC Pro Installation Guide. Once installed, MC Client does not need further configuration for applications. It automatically detects if an application is EUCON-aware and enables EUCON communication. If an application is not EUCON-aware, it enables the MC keyboard, trackball, and Soft Keys to control your application as if the MC were a peripheral directly plugged into your workstation.
4 Click Apply when you are done. Euphonix Control Panel This configuration is only necessary with HUI and Mackie Control applications. EUCON-aware applications communicate automatically with the MC. MC Client enables the MC’s keyboard, trackball, and Soft Keys to control all non-EUCON-aware applications just as the keyboard and mouse. MC Client and EUCON Discovery Options On Mac, MC Client launches on startup and runs invisibly if the EuPrefsPane is active.
System 5 MC The CM408T modules do not allow static IP addressing. Use a DHCP server to auto-assign their IP addresses. The SonicWALL PRO 1260 router (or other) included in the System 5 MC system is set to perform this function by default. To set up the System 5 MC network, connect the MC and CM408T modules to the SonicWALL 1260. (or other router included with your configuration). The SonicWALL 1260 auto-assigns their IP addresses. The MC can now recognize the CM408T modules.
The Touchscreen opens and displays all workstations available on the network. Each workstation must have MC Client running to be available to the MC. Workstation Touchscreen 2 Touch a Workstation Key on the left of the Touchscreen. 3 Touch the Workstation name in the list to assign it to the selected number. 4 To disconnect the MC from its current workstation, touch the Workstation key mapped to that workstation, then touch None/Disconnect.
The MC Client icon is visible in the Windows Taskbar when MC Client is launched. There is no equivalent indication on the Mac. However, if you use SME and have it set to auto-launch (in System Preferences, EUCON Preferences Pane) on this Mac, MC Client completes loading shortly after the SME interface becomes visible. This is particularly useful if you generally use the MC with the same workstation assignment.
Modules (System 5 MC Only) Preferences-Modules Touchscreen This Touchscreen assigns CM408T modules to the MC. All available CM408Ts are listed on the right under All Online. Currently assigned CM408Ts are listed on the left under Assigned to this MC. This is the order in which the MC assigns channel strips to the modules. • To assign a module to the MC, touch it in All Online and touch the Add button.The new CM408T appears under Assigned to this MC.
Chapter 3: Main Touchscreens This chapter introduces the MC Touchscreen interface and the main Touchscreens used for normal workflow. The Touchscreen allows you to touch screen items that you would normally click with a mouse. The main difference between a touch and conventional interface is that there is no double-touch corresponding to a double-click to launch or open an item. We use the word touch (instead of click, select, or press) to activate, select, or open items in a Touchscreen.
The top-left of the screen displays the following information (top to bottom): • Application to which the MC is currently connected • Name of the workstation to which the MC is connected • Current User Set • Currently focused channel in yellow text SMPTE time, minutes/seconds, feet/frames, and bar/beat counters are located to the right of that display.
Main-Flip (System 5 MC Only) Main-Flip Touchscreen A row of the CM408T module’s knobs can be flipped onto its faders. The parameters on the row of knobs appear on the faders and the parameters on the faders appear on the row of knobs. Flip works across the entire console surface. The Main-Flip Touchscreen shows eight buttons corresponding to the CM408T’s eight rows of knobs. • Touch a number once to flip that row. The button stays lit while the row is flipped.
M and K Indicators The M and K indicators correspond to mouse and keyboard, respectively, and show whether the MC trackball and keyboard control the MC (local) or the workstation (remote): Table 4. Color Mouse and Keyboard Control Orange MC Gray Workstation On the MC keyboard, press Alt+Backslash to toggle this control. File Touch Menu > File to display the File Touchscreen. User Sets and App Sets tabs allow typical File operations on User Sets and Application Sets, respectively.
Chapter 4: MC Preference Settings This chapter describes the Preference settings in the Euphonix menu that change how the MC operates. Selected options are colored cyan and deselected options are royal blue. General Preferences-General Touchscreen This Touchscreen controls six global preferences, each of which may be selected independently: Workstation tracks knobset changes Makes Workstation aware of which knobset is selected and displays appropriate controls.
Wrap-Around Banking Touch the Wrap-Around Banking button to toggle wrap-around banking on/off. When enabled, the Bank and Nudge buttons continuously bank through the tracks available, moving from the last track to the first. When disabled, the banking stops at the highest track (with the Bank Right button) and the lowest track (with the Bank Left button). This applies to standalone MC (with a four-fader bank) and System 5 MCs (with CM408T channel strips).
Setup Preferences-Setup Touching Euphonix Menu > Preferences > Setup opens the most recently used Setup Touchscreen. Devices The Surface Filter buttons and controls are for factory use only. Do not modify these settings unless instructed to do so by an Avid representative. This setting lets you swap the mapping of the track wheels (jog rings around the trackball), enabling the physical left jog wheel to be used as the logical right wheel.
Surface Filter Update Period This setting modifies the interval at which the MC sends automation data back and forth to your workstation(s). The range is 5–250 ms and the default is 42 ms. You will not need to modify this setting unless your project has extensive automation, in which case you may need to increase it. Be careful because setting it too low (rate too high) may deliver incorrect automation.
Network Network The Network pane in the MC preferences section lets you customize the addressing used for multicasting data used by the EUCON system. Although most systems will never need to use this feature, special care should be taken if it is determined that custom network settings are to be used. Please consult with your IT department to ensure proper addressing and port settings are used for your place of operation.
8 Log out of all your workstations and log back in. Note the following: • You may need a separate keyboard and mouse to do this since EUCON connectivity will not be established at this point. • When you log out, all EUCON-based processes are shut down and relaunched again when you log in. This ensures that the new custom network settings are applied to the workstation. • Alternatively, you may restart your workstations, although it should not be necessary.
About Preferences-About Touchscreen This Touchscreen displays the version of the EUCON software loaded on the MC. The EUCON-MC software can be upgraded by downloading the latest version from our website. Contact Avid support for more information (available through our website: www.avid.com).
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Chapter 5: Soft Keys Soft Keys Banks Soft Key banks are saved snapshots of all Soft Key commands for a specific MC Soft Key section. There are three Soft Key sections, each with individual banks: the Soft Keys section (24 Soft Keys to the left of the Touchscreen), and the Left and Right Edit sections. The main Soft Keys section has six dedicated bank buttons at the top, and the two Edit sections each have four bank buttons.
Soft Keys Setup Press the main Soft Keys Setup button (bottom-right of the Soft Keys section) to configure the main Soft Keys. The Right/Left Edit section Soft Keys can be changed by pressing that section’s Setup button. The Touchscreen changes to show the Soft Keys setup. The Commands and Labels tabs of the Soft Keys Setup Touchscreen edit the definitions and labels of the Soft Keys. Press the Soft Key to modify; it begins flashing.
Setup-Commands Touchscreen To assign a command, touch the Add button. A pop-up menu requests a choice between adding a Key, EUCON, Soft Bank Key Switch, or MC command. Touch to select the command type and the screen for that command is displayed. The Repeat button (next to the Add button) sets the Soft Key to be repeatable: When the key is held down, the MC repeats the Soft Key’s command chain. This is typically used for zoom and nudge buttons.
Setup-EuCon Commands Touchscreen This Touchscreen allows choosing from hierarchical EUCON command menus (the actual contents depend on the EUCON application). To assign a command, touch a category in the left-most menu, and use the submenus to find the desired command. Touching the command instantly assigns it to the command definition and the Soft Key displays the default command label. If there are more than three menu levels, they move to the left as the submenus open.
Setup-Key Commands Touchscreen This Touchscreen allows typing a command string that is executed by the MC when the specified Soft Key is pressed. Touch any of the modifier buttons (Control, Shift, Alt/Opt, Win/Cmd) to include them as part of the Soft Key definition. Multiple modifiers can be toggled to create complex application shortcuts. For example, to create the command shortcut Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Z, toggle the Ctrl, Alt, and Shift modifiers and type Z into the command box.
Setup-Bank Switch Commands Touchscreen This Touchscreen sets a Soft Key to jump to a specific Soft Key bank and determines which MC Soft Key sections are affected by that bank switch. Touch the Action button to change the bank switch action. A pop-up menu selects the next, previous, or another bank. The current bank is shown to the left above the image of the Soft Key being edited. When the Action button is set to Jump To Bank, enter the desired bank number in the command box below the Action button.
Menu Implementation Allowing a Soft Key to Jump that Soft Key section to another bank provides several interesting ways to organize Soft Keys. For example, a bank can be created that shows the application’s pull-down menus (such as File, View, Insert, or Format) on the top row. The Nuendo and Pyramix Application Sets use this functionality to put the most important functions on Banks 1–6, with Soft Keys that jump to other banks to display further options (such as the File Menu or the Transport commands).
The Pause command can be used to create a delay in milliseconds in the chain of commands within a Soft Key. The range is limited to 500 ms per Pause command. Multiple Pause commands can be chained together to create longer delays. This is especially handy when you create a macro that opens a windows within the host application. A Pause command can be inserted to delay triggering the rest of the commands while the window opens. Experimentation is key to finding the best values to use on a case-by-case basis.
Cut, Copy & Paste Soft Keys It is possible to Cut, Copy and Paste Soft Keys when editing an application set using the MC keyboard. To cut, copy or paste Soft Keys: 1 Press the section Setup button and select the Soft Key you wish to cut, copy or paste to.
To lock a section: 1 Bring into focus the application to which you intend to lock a section. The application is listed at the top-left corner of the MC touchscreen. 2 Press the Setup button of the MC section (Left Edit, Soft Key, or Right Edit) being locked. 3 Press the Strip Control Setup button to select the faders/joystick panners to lock. 4 Touch the Lock Section button to lock the section to the application on the MC’s current workstation.
Superlock Superlock locks the entire MC and CM408T modules (for S5-MC owners) to one application, except for the Monitor and Control Room sections, which always lock independently of all other sections. This is useful when switching to another application, without having the MC or System 5 MC constantly switching application sets. For example, you may switch to a database application to look up samples, but want to lock the MC to your DAW application.
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Chapter 6: Soft Knobs The MC has nine touch-sensitive knobs with LED display rings to control many parameters. These knobs are more effective when used with EUCON-aware applications in which they can intelligently access functions (such as EQ, dynamics, aux sends, or plug-ins). They can also send out HUI data. Left and right keys are available to page within a knobset. The eight knobs operate on one channel/track within the selected knobset.
Knob Cells The Soft Knobs area is like a super channel or track inspector to edit a single track. A channel can be attentioned to the Soft Knobs area for editing, which is different from selecting it. A DAW can select more than one track at once. Attentioning (sometimes called focusing) is meaningful only for the control surface and is done one track at a time.
Knobsets Each DAW channel function (such as Aux Send, Inserts, EQ, or Pan) has a knobset associated with it, and the EuCon software includes knobsets for all supported plug-ins. A knobset is comprised of pages of eight parameters each. The MC and CM408T’s knobsets are identical. Touch-sensitive Knobs The knobs are touch-sensitive so the system can detect when the knob is touched, moved, and released. Touching a knob displays the current parameter’s value on the Soft Key’s LCD instead of the parameter name.
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Chapter 7: Working with Channels Channel Strips The MC has four channel strips to which workstation tracks can be assigned. The track names assigned to these strips are displayed in the top-right corner of the Main-Tracks touchscreen. Workstation tracks can be assigned to the strips using the Channel Select and Wave strip keys, or using the Layouts-Assign Touchscreen. The System 5 MC has two motorized joystick panners in place of the four faders.
Chan Select Key Press the Chan Select key to select the channel assigned to that strip. When lit, this channel is selected in the DAW for editing. Press the Chan Select key to select a workstation track; it lights when a track is selected. The workstation’s tracks or mixer window scrolls to show the most recently selected track. Select Key When pressed by itself, the Select key toggles automation Write mode on/off for the track.
Joysticks Joystick Touchscreen Two options are available for the upper-right area of the MC. The standalone MC is usually fitted with four faders. The System 5 MC includes a pair of joysticks. The Joysticks can send stereo or surround panning to EUCON-aware applications. The MC Joysticks section has similar functions as the fader.
Strip Control Section Strip Control Layouts Flip Home MC Nudge Nudge Bank Bank Setup Setup Strip Control MC Key (System 5 MC Only) The status of the MC key determines whether the Bank and Nudge keys apply to the CM408T or the MC. • MC key lit: Bank keys control the MC (default state). • MC key unlit: Bank keys control the CM408Ts. Bank Keys Press the Bank keys to move left or right one bank of four (MC) or eight (CM408T) strips. Nudge Keys Press the Nudge keys to move left or right one strip.
Layouts Key Layouts are one of the MC’s most powerful features. Layouts allow the assignment of workstation tracks on the MC/S5MC surface to be stored and recalled. A Layout stores the mapping of tracks that are Direct Assigned to strips. They do not store mappings of underlying tracks that are automatically assigned to strips. Press the Layouts key to access the Assign and Layout touchscreens.
Assigning Tracks to Strips The MC has four channel strips. The System 5 MC can have a virtually unlimited number of CM408Ts. The MC and CM408T strips can be scrolled independently. The CM408T strips can have a Main and a Swap track assigned; the CM408T strip’s Swap key switches between Main and Swap layers. When the MC connects to a workstation with EUCON DAW software (or Mackie Control Universal/HUI), it automatically populates the channel strips with DAW tracks.
CM408T Channel Strips (System 5 MC only) The CM408T channel strip is similar to the strip on the standalone MC with faders, but also has a four-character LED scribble strip display, and a high-resolution TFT display to show additional channel information, metering, pan, and EQ graphs.
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Chapter 8: Monitors and Control Room Monitors, Control Room, and Talkback Sections The Monitors and Control Room sections of the MC surface allow for controlling various monitoring setups. The MC does not process or route audio: it interfaces with a EUCON-aware application’s monitoring section or with the Euphonix Studio Monitor Express (SME) application.
Control Room The touch-sensitive knob controls the overall Control Room volume. The level is shown in the LED display to the right of the knob. The source is displayed in the lower LED display. Control Room section Main Spkrs, Alt 1 Spkrs, Alt 2 Spkrs These buttons switch the main Control Room feed between three sets of speakers: Main Spkrs Up to 5.1 channels of Control Room Monitor Out. Alt1 Spkrs Up to 5.1 channels of Control Room Monitor Out. Alt2 Spkrs Stereo Control Room Out.
Monitors Monitors section The Monitors section of the MC surface can control up to two monitor outputs per page, labeled Monitor A and B in SME. Audio sources for Monitor A and B are configured in SME’s Main tab or the MC’s Touchscreen. Touch-sensitive Knobs These knobs control the level (displayed in the LED display to the right of the knob) of their respective monitor outputs.
Talkback The Talkback button dims the Control Room output (according to the Dim Level) and activates the Talkback Mic channels assigned in SME (the Talkback Mic is active when the button is held down). Pressing the button momentarily latches it, and holding it down longer than the Latch Timeout setting (see Chapter 5, “Soft Keys”) makes it a momentary button; it releases when the button is released. The Foot Switch jack can toggle Talkback on/off. For more information, see “Other Connections” on page 8.
Chapter 9: Studio Monitor Express (Windows) Studio Monitor Express (SME) is a powerful and flexible audio monitoring software application that runs on your Windows workstation or a dedicated computer. It controls the routing between applications, external inputs, and ASIO hardware. SME outputs are routed to the audio I/O hardware and can be controlled from the MC’s Monitors section. SME can be considered a software version of a mixing console’s master and Comm section.
When the workstation and MC are connected, the changes made in this tab are reflected in the Monitor and Control Room section on the surface, and vice versa. Sources Sources tab The Sources tab is used to create sources to SME’s mixer inputs. To create a source, select the Format (Mono, Stereo, or 5.1), select the Start Channel, type a name into the Name field, and click the Create button.
The SME O/P Patch tab sets the physical output channels from each of SME’s monitors sections to the audio I/O hardware. Select the desired outputs from the Hardware O/P drop-down menus. Application O/P Patch Application O/P Patch tab The Application O/P Patch tab routes the application outputs (such as Nuendo) to the audio I/O hardware outputs and/or SME Inputs. The Hardware O/P drop-down allows applications using the SME ASIO driver to route signal directly to the physical outputs (bypassing SME).
Hardware I/P Patch Hardware I/P Patch tab The Hardware I/P Patch tab routes audio from the hardware inputs (Hardware I/P) on your workstation’s sound card to the Application I/P and/or inputs of SME’s mixer inputs (SME I/P). To pass audio from a physical input to an application, the hardware inputs (Hardware I/P) must be patched to Application I/P inputs. We recommend a one-to-one patch to make it easier to track the mapping between physical inputs and channel inputs in your DAW.
Speakers Speakers The Speakers tab allows attenuating and muting monitor section output levels. Drag the faders to adjust the level indicated in the field to the right of the fader. Click the Cut button to mute the output. Each monitoring section has its own controls: Control Room Main, Alt1, Alt2. Monitors A and B.
Config Config Tab The Config tab displays the current sample rate, sets various levels, and enables the hardware inputs and outputs that patch to sources and destinations. Set Dim Level This sets the attenuation amount (in dB) for the program signal when using the talkback function. Set Fixed Level This sets the fixed output level, which is selectable in the Main tab for the Control Room output.
Chapter 10: Studio Monitor Express (Mac) Studio Monitor Express (SME) is a powerful and flexible audio monitoring software application that runs on your workstation or a dedicated computer and controls the routing between applications, external inputs, and Core Audio compliant hardware. SME outputs are routed to the audio I/O hardware and can be controlled from the MC’s Monitors section. SME can be considered a software version of a mixing console’s master and comm section.
Phase Select this checkbox to reverse the phase of the left channel (no surface control for this parameter) Only sections created in the Sources tab appear in the Source boxes. To route a Source to a specific Monitor section, select it in the Source box for the desired monitor output. Sources can also be selected from the MC Monitors section Setup Touchscreen.
Patching Patching Tab The Patching tab routes the SME inputs from applications running on the Macintosh that are using the Euphonix Monitor Core Audio driver, external inputs to the workstation’s sound card, and the SME outputs. The Input section (left) has eight selectable inputs from application outputs, and eight selectable inputs from the audio device (sound card) installed in your workstation. Each application used with SME must be set to use the Euphonix Monitor Core Audio driver.
Speakers Speakers Tab The Speakers tab calibrates and mutes output levels. Drag the faders to adjust the level indicated in the field to the right of the fader. Click the Cut button to mute the output. Each monitoring section has its own controls: Control Room Main, Alt1, Alt2. Monitors A and B.
Config Config Tab The Config tab displays the currently selected Core Audio device driver, Dim and Fixed output levels, and a CPU meter. Audio Device This pull-down menu selects the Core Audio driver for the sound card to use with SME. When the output driver is changed, patching is reset to default settings with no external or output patches enabled. Patches must be reassigned in the Patching tab.
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Chapter 11: DAW Integration One of the most exciting abilities of the MC is dynamically detecting application and workstation switching. All controls on the surface switch to match the active application on the selected workstation. The MC automatically detects not only the application but also if it is EUCON-aware, HUI, Mackie Control, or a generic application, and sets the control mode accordingly.
User Sets File-User Sets Touchscreen User Sets store a collection of App Sets. The User Sets Touchscreen displays a file hierarchy in the columns from left to right. For example, the Root User Set is in the MCUser folder in the User Sets folder. Each column scrolls with the up/down arrows below the column. Copy Copies the selected User Set into the Clipboard.
Application Sets File-App Sets Touchscreen An Application Set stores the Soft Key assignments on the MC surface. An unlimited number of Application Sets can be created, one for each of the applications you use. To create a new Application Set: 1 Connect the MC to the workstation on which the new application resides and runs. 2 Open the application if it is not already open. If it is open, bring it into focus as the front application. 3 Open the App Sets Touchscreen (Euphonix Menu > File).
Avid Pro Tools Pro Tools 9.0 and higher is fully EUCON-aware. Enabling EUCON in Pro Tools To enable EUCON control in Pro Tools: 1 Launch Pro Tools. 2 Choose Setup > Peripherals, and click the Ethernet Controllers tab. 3 Select Enable EUCON. Pro Tools Setup > Peripherals > Ethernet Controllers 4 Click OK. You do not need to configure any other Ethernet Controllers settings. These settings do not apply to EUCON. Pro Tools scans your system until it identifies attached EUCON-compatible controllers.
Steinberg Nuendo Steinberg’s optional EUCON device driver enables fully integrated control of all of Nuendo’s functions from the MC control surface, including channel operations from the CM408T channel strips (System 5 MC). Configuration To enable Nuendo to work with the MC you must obtain a Nuendo EUCON Adapter license from Euphonix and download it to your Syncrosoft USB protection device (dongle) To obtain a Nuendo EUCON Adapter license: 1 Close all open applications.
Nuendo has the following busses available: External Input (6) Create inputs for external sources to monitor in the control room. Talkback (1) The Talkback bus is controlled by the Talkback button on the MC surface. Studio (4) Create mono or stereo studio outputs for talent to monitor. These can also be selected for the Control Room output. Headphone (1) The headphone output is a dedicated stereo downmix for the control room headphones. Monitor (4) Create up to four speaker outputs (all formats up to 8.
MC Control Room and Monitor Setup MC Control Room Setup Touchscreen Press the Control Room Setup button on the MC to open the Control Room Setup Touchscreen. There are three tabs: Source Selects what the Control Room section monitors. The Mix bus, the default bus in Nuendo’s VST Devices Output tab (orange speaker icon next to its name) is always available. If Studio or External Input busses have been created, they also appear.
Monitor Setup Monitor Touchscreen The Monitor Setup key opens the Monitor Touchscreen, which controls the source for each Studio feed. Each Studio feed has its own tab (Monitor A–D), and each tab lists the possible sources (External Input, Main, and Aux busses). To select a source for a Studio bus, touch the tab of the desired bus then touch the source to assign; source selections intercancel.
Multiple Track Selection Multiple track selection from the surface depends on the Track Selection mode preference found on the General Preferences page. Track Selection mode can be set to Intercancel or Sum. Intercancel Multiple track selection from the surface is not possible. Sum Multiple track selection is accomplished by pressing Chan Select either from the MC Touchscreen or on the channel strips. De-select a selected track by pressing Chan Select again.
EUCON Adapter Preferences This section describes EUCON Adapter Preferences for track assignment and transport control. Nuendo EUCON Preferences Dynamic Selection of EUCONized Tracks A list of checkboxes determines which channel types are modeled in EUCON. If a certain channel is available in Nuendo and the corresponding checkbox is checked, the channel can be accessed through EUCON and is deemed EUCON-ized. All channels except Input channels are EUCON-ized by default and appear on the MC/S5MC surface.
Number of Knob Sets to Cache This limits the amount of surface display data that is stored in the Nuendo cache memory on your workstation. Increase this setting only if you notice slower surface update times. Max setting = 999. Studio Sends on MC and CM408T Aux Send Knob Set Page 2 The Studio sends are on page 2 of the Aux Send Knobset. Knob 1 is send 1’s pan, Knob 2 is send 1’s level. Knob 2 switches control on/off and pre/post, exactly like the Aux knobs.
4 Click Controller. The right pane shows any installed controllers. However, at this point the pane is empty unless other interface controllers have been installed previously. 5 Click the Add button. Controller Properties dialog 6 Type the desired name for the MC in the Name field (for example, type “MC in Studio 2”). 7 Select the Enable checkbox. 8 Choose OASIS from the Driver pop-up menu. 9 Click the Properties button next to the Driver pop-up menu.
Getting Started To quickly get started: 1 Open Pyramix Virtual Studio by double-clicking the shortcut on the Windows desktop, or select it from the Start menu. 2 Use the right trackball and keyboard on the MC to control the Pyramix workstation. When Pyramix first launches (before a project is loaded), the default MC Application Set displays the following options on the MC Soft Keys: Pref, View, Edit, Automation, Open, Save, and New Project From Template).
8 Click OK to exit that dialog, and then click Mount. The dialog box that opens names the project and assigns its location. We rec- ommend saving it in the media folder you selected or created. 9 Click OK and the new project is set up. Open the General Settings dialog (Settings > All Settings) after loading a template project and check that the following settings suit your needs: frame rate, sample rate, sync format, and source/destination.
MOTU Digital Performer 6.02 and 7 (EUCON) Configuration 1 In Digital Performer 6.02 (or higher), go to Setup > Control Surfaces. 2 Press +. 3 Select EUCON from the pop-up menu. Digital Performer6 - Add Control Surface Listen to Control Surfaces in Background should be enabled at all times when using EUCON Control Surface Driver.
HUI Applications HUI is a control protocol developed by Mackie that works with most DAWs. The HUI protocol is limited by the original HUI specification, and thus the MC must emulate the physical controls of the actual HUI hardware. The original HUI had a two-line 60-character display, which is displayed as a black box with white characters on the top-right of the MC Touchscreen when controlling a HUI application. The four left-most Soft Knobs act as the HUI V-Pots.
5 Click Apply and restart the workstation. Euphonix Control Panel • After you have configured or changed Euphonix Control Panel settings, the system will need to be rebooted. This will relaunch the virtual MIDI driver and also start ExHUI. Set Up Pro Tools Peripherals To configure Pro Tools: 1 Launch Pro Tools. 2 Go to Setup > Peripherals. 3 In the Peripherals setup window, go to the MIDI controllers tab.
Understanding Banking & Surface Mapping Layers and Banking Banking (and nudging) the surface in HUI mode behaves differently than standard EUCON surface banking. In standard EUCON applications, all tracks are directly available, and banking simply slides the surface left/right thus exposing other tracks on the surface. In HUI mode, however, EUCON sees only the HUI layer. Standard surface banking would simply move the location of the HUI tracks on the surface, and would not expose other tracks in Pro Tools.
Surface Mapping and Direct Assign in HUI One of the most powerful features of EUCON Control Surfaces is the ability to map any DAW channel to any Surface Strip. This is called Direct Assign. When using HUI mode it is important to remember the relationship between the Surface, the HUI layer and Pro Tools. It is possible to map HUI Strips to the surface in the same fashion as EUCON applications. The difference, however, is that only the HUI Strips are mapped, and not the actual Pro Tools channels.
Surface Knob Sets in Pro Tools There are eight knobsets accessible from any EUCON surface. Each knobset is used to provide the operator with access to parameters in a way that is intuitive and easy to navigate. Each knobset consists of eight knob cells. Each knob cell contains a Touch-Sensitive Encoder (knob) that doubles as a press button (knob-top), and two buttons: Sel and On. Additionally, each knob cell has an associated display.
Accessing Knob Sets CM408T The eight knobsets are accessed directly from each channel strip. • INSERT, GRP, EQ and DYN knobsets provide access to the DSP Edit / Assign controls of the corresponding channel using the 8 knob cells of that strip. • Pan, Aux, Input and Mix are global. These knobsets will toggle the display on all channels on the surface. Additionally, these knobsets use only the bottom knob cell (8). • The default knobset is PAN.
EQ The EQ knobset is the same as DYN but for EQ plug-ins. It is also important to note that EQ knobset is simply a special case mapping of parameters from the INSERT knobset. This is dedicated to provide control of EQ plug-ins in a way that is consistent with other EUCON enabled DAW systems. The special mapping the EQ plug-in parameters lets you make use of all eight knob cells for EQ editing: • Each band of EQ uses two knob cells. one each for GAIN and FREQ.
What makes the GRP knobset special? It allows the operator to edit parameters of any plug-in in the entire session regardless of channel or HUI bank. Any plug-in opened from the Pro Tools GUI will be displayed in the GRP knobset. This includes plug-ins that are not on any HUI bank. Similar functionality is possible using the INSERT knob Set. The BACK Button As mentioned above, to access the Knob Set selections on the MC Pro Soft Knobs you must press the BACK button.
Selecting Multiple Tracks: There are several ways to select multiple tracks in a Pro Tools session: • From surface channels, press and hold one Chan Select button while you select all additional channels. This method allows for selecting non-adjacent channels. Track selection is reset if you cross over HUI banks; it only works for tracks contained in the same HUI bank. • Select the first channel from the surface or touch-screen. Hold SHIFT on the keyboard, and select the last channel you wish to select.
MCS Panner The JLCooper MCS Panner is supported with the Joystick MC. You must first download and install the SurroundPanner_31327.dmg from the Avid website to configure the Surround Panner to use with Pro Tools and the Joystick MC. Pro Tools Surround Panner selection To configure the Surround Panner: 1 Launch Pro Tools. 2 Choose Peripherals > MIDI Controllers. 3 Assuming you have four HUIs configured, re-assign controller #4 to SurroundPnr in the Type field.
Mackie Control Universal Mackie Control Universal is a widely used MIDI-based protocol that controls application parameters and supports metering in many DAW applications. The extent to which Mackie Control can be used depends on the specific application’s implementation. The MC uses its own MIDI-over-Ethernet driver (incorporated into the EUCON software) to easily control these programs without MIDI cables.
4 Click the + button. Add Control Surface dialog 5 Select Mackie Control from the Control Surface Type pop-up menu. 6 For the Input and Output Connection pop-up menus, select the MIDI send and receive ports. These will be the same port, so if Soundtrack Pro uses ports 5–8, the first controller sends and receives on port 5. 7 Click OK to close the Add Control Surfaces dialog. 8 Repeat the process to add up to four controllers.
Digital Performer Control Surface Sony Vegas 7 Sony Vegas 7.0 supports the use of Mackie Control Universal for up to eight faders at once. Most Mackie Control functions can be custom mapped within Sony Vegas. See Sony Vegas documentation for full details. Basic configuration instructions are as follows: 1 Add Sony Vegas to Euphonic Control panel. 2 Open Sony Vegas 7 and go to Options > Preferences > MIDI. MIDI Tab 3 Enable the four Euphonix MIDI ports specified in the Euphonix Preference Pane.
External Control & Automation Tab 7 Configure Mackie Control Device by doing the following: • Select Emulated Mackie Control Device from the Device Type pop-up menu. • Select the specified Euphonix EuMIDI Input and Outputs. • Click OK.
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Appendix A: Studio Monitor Pro 2 What is SMP2? Studio Monitor Pro 2 (SMP) is a versatile and powerful virtual representation of a multi-channel master-section of an audio console. SMP runs on your workstation or dedicated SMP computer, and provides full control of routing between applications, external ASIO hardware inputs and outputs. SMP also provides extensive communications control for Talkback, Studio Monitor and Record feeds.
Overview of Signal Flow and Concepts Hardware I/P’s and/or Application O/P’s are patched to SMP internal busses called SMP I/P’s. These internal busses are combined in logical groupings called Sources. User defined Sources are then assigned to Control Room, Monitor and/or Record feeds which are patched to either hardware speaker O/P’s or other Application I/P’s.
Configuration SMP Configuration tab Enable Hardware Ports This allows for explicitly enabling or disabling of each available I/O port from the selected ASIO hardware. This limits the ASIO stream’s input and outputs being passed in or out of SMP, thus minimizing PCI bus traffic to only those ports necessary for the current setup. Once enabled, the ports become available for source & destination patching in the other tabs. CPU Usage This meter shows current SMP2 CPU usage (typically 1–2%).
The DIM level is adjustable from the MC Control Room surface section. To adjust DIM level: 1 Press the DIM button 2 Turn the CR knob to adjust the amount of attenuation. Fixed Level This slider sets the fixed output level, enabled from the Main tab for the Main Control Room output. This is a useful setting for systems requiring specific monitoring levels such as SDDS mixing environments.
Application O/P Patch This tab is used to patch the outputs of your software application to SMP I/P busses or directly to Hardware O/P’s. Application O/P Patch tab SMP allows up to 128 source O/P’s (EuOut) from any software application. These are displayed on the left. Two separate SMP I/P patch configurations are permitted: A/B (selectable from the Main tab). Additionally, the column labeled Hardware O/P allows for Direct O/P patching.
Hardware I/P Patch The Hardware I/P Patching tab is used to configure the destination of any enabled Hardware I/P’s to SMP I/P busses or directly to the Application I/P’s (EuIn). Hardware I/P Patch tab The left-most column displays all Hardware I/P sources enabled in the Configuration tab. SMP2 allows for two separate SMP I/P patch configurations: A/B (selectable from the Main tab). Additionally, the column labeled Application I/P allows for Direct I/P patching (EuIn 1-98).
Source Setup The Sources Setup tab allows for the creation of logical groupings of SMP I/P’s called Sources. It is recommended that the created Sources correspond to the various Application O/P stems and/or External I/P sources as applicable to each individual system configuration. Using the Source Availability Selector, each Source can be explicitly enabled or disabled from each SMP O/P feed. Sources Setup tab New Source Name Type in the name of the Source to be created.
Talkback SMP2 allows for four separate Talkbacks to be created, each with their own destinations and behavioral actions that determine the affect on each of the Main SMP O/P feeds when enabled. Currently, only Talkback 1 can be engaged from the MC Control Room surface. Talkback tab Select This chooses which of the 4 Talkbacks is being edited. Level This set the Level of the currently selected Talkback. Change Name This allows the name of the currently selected Talkback to be changed.
Speakers Speakers The Speakers tab allows attenuating and muting monitor section output levels. Drag the faders to adjust the level indicated in the field above the fader. Click the Cut button to mute the output. Level and Cut controls are provided for each speaker for individual O/P calibration. Each monitoring section has its own controls: Control Room Main, Alt 1, Alt 2. Recording Record 1, Record 2. Monitors A and B.
Main The Main tab provides access to all the necessary features and parameters used for general operation. The parameters of the Main tab may also be accessed using the Control Room section of the MC surface and the MC touchscreen. Main tab Overview of Main The Main tab controls the following: Source Selection For Control Room, Monitor and Record feeds (SMP O/P’s). Level, Dim and Cut For each feed. Format • Control Room and Record A feeds allow up to 7.1 multi-channel O/P formats to be selected.
Parameters Control Room The Control Room O/P feed provides additional features: Speaker Selection • Main: up to 7.1 multi-channel O/P • Alt 1 and Alt 2: provided for additional stereo speaker O/P’s. Fixed This sets the level of the CR to the specified fixed level set in the Configuration tab. Reverse Reverses polarity (180º phase) of the Left O/P signal. Monitor Insert Send / Return (Control Room Feed Only) The Monitor Insert Send and Return switches turn on/off the Insert signal paths.
User Format User Format The User Format tab allows for custom bus-to-channel allocation to be defined for multi-channel monitoring. These mappings are used for defining the format of Sources in the Source Setup section, and to define the input format of the Monitor Insert Return. User Formats may have a channel width up to 8 channels wide (7.1). Select Default pre-defined formats are: Mono, Stereo, LRCS, 5.1, 6.1, & 7.1 Four undefined User Formats are provided (User 1–4).
Folddown/Metering Folddown / Metering Tab Metering The Metering sections allows for dedicated pre-fader signals to be routed to any available Hardware O/P’s. To patch an O/P destination: select the desired Hardware O/P in the desired patch cell. The metering O/P’s follow the Source selection of their respective SMP O/P feeds in the Main tab. Folddown This section allows for custom Folddown (down-mixing) rules to be defined.
Fine Tune Slider Control The following keys and modifiers can be used to get fine tune control of sliders (faders) in Studio Monitor Pro 2: • HOME key: jump to 0 dB position • END key: jump to OFF position • PAGE UP key: +12 dB • PAGE DOWN key: -12 dB • Press and hold SHIFT key during slider mouse movement: 0.1 dB steps. For Vertical Sliders • ARROW LEFT key: +3 dB • ARROW RIGHT key: –3 dB • ARROW UP key: +0.1 dB • ARROW DOWN key: –0.1 dB For Horizontal Sliders • ARROW LEFT key: +0.
Appendix B: Compliance Information Environmental Compliance Disposal of Waste Equipment by Users in the European Union Proposition 65 Warning This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. Perchlorate Notice This product may contain a lithium coin battery.
EMC (Electromagnetic Compliance) Avid declares that this product complies with the following standards regulating emissions and immunity: • FCC Part 15 Class A • EN55103-1 E4 • EN55103-2 E4 • AS/NZS CISPR 22 Class A • CISPR 22 Class A FCC Compliance for United States Communication Statement Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Safety Compliance Safety Statement This equipment has been tested to comply with USA and Canadian safety certification in accordance with the specifications of UL Standards: UL60950-1:2007, 2nd Ed and CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-07, 2nd Ed. Avid Technology Inc., has been authorized to apply the appropriate NRTL mark on its compliant equipment. Warning 13) Unplug this equipment during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time. 14) Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
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Avid Technical Support (USA) Product Information 2001 Junipero Serra Boulevard Daly City, CA 94014-3886 USA Visit the Online Support Center at www.avid.com/support For company and product information, visit us on the web at www.avid.
